by Beth Cronk, Litchfield head librarian
It’s a happy time at the library for internet users. We have increased our speed from 1.5 Mbps to
12. How’s that for a jump ahead in
technology? You should notice a big difference on our public computers and on
your mobile devices on the wi-fi. I know
I’ve noticed it.
Things can still get a little bit slow when our computers
are full. If you have twenty-five people
online here, some of them streaming video or downloading something, 12 Mbps
still can get a bit stretched. But
despite a few traffic jams, it’s like
driving a sports car now instead of a lawn mower. Litchfield Library is one of the busiest in
the library system for internet use, so we will all appreciate it. Even checking out your books goes faster.
We’re so grateful that the federal e-rate program which
helps public libraries offer broadband access to people throughout the country
has allowed us to adjust for our demand like this. Many of our rural residents cannot get
anything faster than dial-up at home, and most websites now require so much
more than that. Even people in town who
could get high-speed internet cannot always afford it, or a computer of their
own.
According to the Pew Research Center this month, 77% of
Americans who use the internet but don’t have access at home say that internet
access at their public library is important to them and their family. People
living in lower-income households are much more likely to say that internet access
at libraries is important to them.
People use our computers to take online classes, complete
job training modules, apply for jobs and unemployment, print boarding passes
and event tickets, buy things online, search real estate listings… the list
goes on and on. Just think of how many
things you search for online and how much you keep in touch with people through
email and social media, and then imagine someone who has no way to do any of
that. Many people in that situation use
the library to do it.
With the new iPads and laptops in the district this fall, I expect
that more kids will need to use our wi-fi than ever before to do their homework
in the evenings and on weekends. There’s no longer a complicated sign-in process
to use our wi-fi; just choose the Litchfield Public Library network, accept the
terms of service, and you’re in. There is no password. It
will time out after you’ve been on for four hours, so save your work if you’re
doing a long project. Our wi-fi works in
the parking lot, so you could do some emergency homework in your minivan even when
we’re closed. The wi-fi turns on early
in the morning and off late at night, well beyond our business hours.
Part of the role of the public library is to provide access
to information. In today’s world, so
much of the information is online. If
you need internet access, whether on your own mobile device or our computer,
you can visit the library to do that. I
hope you’ll enjoy the change in our service.
Faster is better!
